Islamabad - The government of energy-starved Pakistan plans to distribute 10 million low-consumption light bulbs to reduce the load on national grids, a news report said on Tuesday. Pakistan is currently producing around two-thirds of its power demand, with an overwhelming deficit of around 4,000 megawatts. Domestic and industrial consumers have been hit hard by continual power cuts.
The state-run National Energy Conservation Centre (Enercon) on Monday tasked the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) with arranging the delivery of energy-saving bulbs across the country, the daily newspaper Dawn reported.
PEPCO will assess the capacity of local manufacturers to fill the huge order, and in case of shortfall it will approach the authorities to import the bulbs.
Pakistan's new coalition government that swore in last month had announced a 100-day relief package with an improvement in energy situation high on the agenda.
The power crisis is expected to worsen as the mercury rises in the summer. Public protests against power breakdowns have already started taking place, mainly in the eastern province of Punjab where many textile mills have grounded to a halt.
Scores of people rallied in the Punjab's central city of Multan on Tuesday, one day after a violent mob led by idled workers of looms vandalized several utility buildings and set dozens of vehicles and government properties on fire.
